San Diego Chargers rookie OLB Melvin Ingram will play outside linebacker for the team. He is expected to improve their pass rush and their third-down defense. Ingram recorded 19 sacks and 26 tackles for a loss in the last two seasons at South Carolina. "He's a playmaker and he's going to bring the heat, which is what we're looking for," general manager A.J. Smiths said. Head coach Norv Turner said Ingram is the most versatile, complete linebacker in the draft.

The team plans to have OLBs Shaun Phillips and Jarret Johnson start at outside backer, but don't view Ingram and Antwan Barnes as backups at the position. The team also has OLBs Travis LaBoy and Larry English on roster. Smith said the team's goal is to have four or five outside linebackers that can rotate in and rush the passer. "Our goal is to try and get four of them creating havoc so that we can make it a little bit easier on the guys at the back end," Smith said.